Election results timing depends on the specific races and jurisdictions, but here’s what’s typically true for major U.S. elections on election night in 2025:
- Polls close at different times by state and city. In many large urban areas, key results can begin rolling in within hours of closing, while closer races may take longer to finalize due to mail ballots and late-arriving ballots. For example, New York City typically reports preliminary results soon after 9:00 PM Eastern, with full results sometimes extending into the early hours if margins are tight.
- The Associated Press and major outlets usually issue early projections when the race is clearly decided or when a margin is large enough to call with confidence. In many cases, clear-winner calls in prominent races can occur within the first few hours after polls close, but contested or close races can take longer.
- Local election boards and secretaries of state publish results as ballots are counted (including in-person votes, early voting, and mail-in ballots). Final official tallies may take longer to certify, depending on state laws and handling of absentee ballots.
What this means for your question:
- “When will it be announced who won the election?” The general answer is: expect initial results and potential early calls on election night, with more complete results and formal certifications rolling in over the following hours and days, especially for closer contests. Major outlets typically begin publishing calls shortly after polls close, but definitive winners in tight races may require additional counting time.
If you have a specific race or jurisdiction in mind (for example, a particular city, state, or statewide race), share that, and the response can be tailored with more precise timing expectations.
